Mayor speaks out following committee decision

Swindon mayor Nick Martin has spoken out following the findings of a report by the standards committee into remarks he made about disabled people.

The committee resolved to find councillor Martin (Con, Shaw) had breached the members' code of conduct over an remark about disabled people last year.

He said he accepted he used insensitive language and was apologetic.

Speaking to the Adver he said: “I have apologised for using a word I shouldn’t have. I will publically apologise has I have been asked to and I will continue to apologise. I don’t know how many more times I can say it but I will continue to do so.

“I used a word I shouldn’t have and I am sorry. It was a word used when I was growing up but I accept it was wrong.”

He also said he was now considering his position as mayor.

“As Mayor I cannot get involved in political campaigning which is something I enjoy. I am considering my future as a Mayor but if I do stand down it will be to campaign rather than over this issue,” Coun Martin said.